Atomization control unit and a portable atomizing apparatus having the same

ABSTRACT

A portable atomizing apparatus according to the present invention includes a battery case, an atomizing device, a body case, a control unit, and a suction adjustment. The battery case receives a battery, and the atomizing device includes a heating member electrically connected to the battery for generating heat to atomize a source material. The body case is connected between the battery case and the atomizing device. Besides, the control unit is mounted inside the body case, electrically connected to the battery and to the heating member, so that the control unit receives an electrical power from the battery to control the output signal delivered to the heating member. Also, the suction adjustment opens or closes an air inlet of the atomizing apparatus so as to adjust the amount of air entering the atomizing apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an atomizing technique, and moreparticularly, an atomization control unit capable of controllingatomization of a source material and a portable atomizing device havingthe same.

BACKGROUND ART

A portable atomizing device is developed to be easily carried by a manto satisfy one's taste by inhaling smoke generated by the portableatomizing device or to fulfill other purposes. An example of portableatomizing devices may be an electronic cigarette, where the electroniccigarette is used as a replacement of cigarette smoking or to aidsmoking cessation. Since a method of using the electronic cigarette andan effect of using the same are similar to those of a normal cigarette,a user may receive impression of smoking a normal cigarette by smokingthe electronic cigarette.

In terms of purposes of using the portable atomizing device, factorsregarding taste may include not only materials included in sourcematerial, but also conditions for the portable atomizing deviceatomizing the source material. In other words, when a same sourcematerial is atomized by the portable atomizing device under differentconditions for atomizing the source material, taste, fragrance, andinhaling impression felt by a user while inhaling smoke may be changed.In this case, the user may change expendable parts, such as an atomizer,a cartridge, and a battery, and thus there may be additional costs for auser to use the portable atomizing device.

Furthermore, times for inhaling smoke from a portable atomizing deviceonce may vary from one user to another. Here, when a user inhales smokefor long period of time, a heating element may be damaged by anoverheated the heating element inside an atomizer, or taste or fragranceof smoke may be deteriorated due to excessive combustion of a liquidsource material inside the atomizer.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

The present invention provides an atomization control unit capable ofactively controlling atomizing conditions while smoke is being inhaledand capable of controlling atomizing efficiency according to varioussource ingredients.

The present invention also provides an atomization control unit capableof preventing a heating element from being overheated and generatingfresh smoke without deteriorating taste or fragrance of a liquid sourcematerial.

The present invention also provides a portable atomizing deviceincluding the atomization control unit having the advantages as statedabove.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided anatomization control unit of a portable atomizing device including anatomizer having a heating element for heating a source material and abattery case for accommodating a battery, the atomization control unitincluding a body case, a control unit, and a suction control unit.

The body case is combined with the battery case at a first side and iscombined with the atomizer at a second side. The control unit isaccommodated inside the body case, is electrically connected to thebattery and the heating element, receives power voltage from thebattery, and controls an output voltage output to the heating element.Furthermore, the suction control unit controls an amount of the airintroduced toward the atomizer by opening or closing air inletsconnecting the atomizer with the outside.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda portable atomizing device including a battery case, a body case, acontrol unit, and a suction control unit. The battery case accommodatesa battery therein, and the atomizer is electrically connected to thebattery and includes a heating element for generating heat to atomize asource material. The body case is arranged between the battery case andthe atomizer and is combined with the battery case and the atomizer.

Furthermore, the control unit is accommodated inside the body case, iselectrically connected to the battery and the heating element, receivespower from the battery, and controls an output signal output to theheating element. Furthermore, the suction control unit controls anamount of the air introduced toward the atomizer by opening or closingair inlets connecting the atomizer with the outside.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda portable atomizing device including an atomizer electrically connectedto a battery and including a heating element for generating heat toatomize a source material; a detecting element capable of recognizing acontinuous touch of a user; and a control unit outputting an outputsignal having alternately arranged therein a heating time section havinga first voltage level and a heating-stopped time section having a secondvoltage level lower than the first voltage level at least once, to theheating element while a press on the detecting element continues.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the detecting elementmay be a button type or a touch type. According to embodiments of thepresent invention, the control unit may define the first voltage levelbased on the measured resistance of the heating element. According toembodiments of the present invention, the second voltage level may be0V. According to embodiments of the present invention, there may be aheating wait time section for not turning the output signal on for adesignated period of time from initiation of the continuous touch of theuser. According to embodiments of the present invention, the heatingwait time section may have a duration from about 0.01 seconds to about 1seconds. According to embodiments of the present invention, theheating-stopped time section may have a duration from about 0.1 secondsto about 20 seconds, and the heating-stopped time section may have aduration from about 0.05 seconds to about 5 seconds.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the portableatomizing device further includes a display unit for displaying a userinterface for setting one of or both the heating time section and theheating-stopped time section, wherein the control unit may adjust valuesof the heating time section and the heating-stopped time section basedon a press of the user by using the detecting element as a user inputinterface.

According to embodiments of the present invention, when a press on thedetecting element is stopped for a preset wait time or longer period oftime, the control unit may output an output signal due to a later presson the detecting element from the heating wait time section. Accordingto embodiments of the present invention, output of the output signal maybe restricted to a preset maximum operation time. According toembodiments of the present invention, the maximum operation time may befrom about 0.15 seconds to about 25 seconds.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the portableatomizing device may further include a battery case for accommodatingthe battery therein; a body case arranged between the battery case andthe atomizer and combined with the battery case and the atomizer; and asuction control unit controlling an amount of the air introduced towardthe atomizer by opening or closing air inlets connecting the atomizerwith the outside. According to embodiments of the present invention, theportable atomizing device may be one from among a fragrance generator,fragrance therapy device, a sterilizer, a pest exterminator, or arespiratory system treatment device.

Advantageous Effects

According to embodiments of the present invention, power supplied to aheating element may be maintained constant by adjusting an output signalbased on power voltage of a battery or resistance of the heatingelement. Therefore, problems including short-circuit of a heatingelement due to excessive power, reduction of an amount of smoke of aportable atomizing device due to insufficient power, and change offragrance and taste of smoke may be resolved.

Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, a usermay control an output signal according to the user's preference.Therefore, a better smoking condition corresponding to the user'spreference may be selected.

Furthermore, an amount of the outside air to be mixed with an atomizedsource material may be easily adjusted by using a suction control unit.Therefore, a user may easily adjust atomization amount by using thesuction control unit.

Furthermore, a printed circuit board of a control unit is combined to acombination groove of a body case and may not only support a displayunit and a switch mounted thereon, but also directly or indirectlycontacts a battery and output terminals for mutual electric connections.Therefore, circuit configuration and mechanical assembly of a portableatomizing device may be easily embodied without a separate connectingmember or a combining member.

Therefore, environment friendliness may be embodied by excludinghazardous materials, such as lead. Furthermore, the overallmanufacturing process may be further simplified, thereby reducingmanufacturing cost.

Furthermore, a user may operate a portable atomizing device by using atouch-type switch, such as a detecting element. Therefore, if theportable atomizing device is applied to an electronic cigarette, theportable atomizing device may be operated by simply grabbing the body ofthe portable atomizing device including a detecting element without keeppressing a button, thereby improving user convenience.

Furthermore, damages to an atomizer and waste of a source material dueto excessive heating of a heating element may be prevented bycontrolling the heating element by using an output signal having aheating time section of a first voltage level and a heating-stopped timesection of a second voltage level that is lower than the first voltagelevel.

Furthermore, by allowing a user to adjust durations of a heating timesection and a heating-stopped time section based on inhale time orinhale habit of the user, the user may select/adjust smoking conditionsin correspondence to the user's preference and may enjoy changed taste,fragrance, and inhaling impression of a source material.

As described above, by setting a maximum operation time regarding anoutput signal and a wait time based on interruption of a press on adetecting element, power consumed by a heating element may be reduced,thereby increasing battery time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a portable atomizing device according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a front view of the portable atomizing device shown in FIG.1A;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional diagram, obtained along a line I-I′ of FIG.1B;

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a suction control unit of FIG. 1 in closerdetail;

FIG. 2C is a diagram for describing function of the suction control unitshown in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram, obtained along a line II-II′ ofFIG. 2C;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing information displayed at a displayunit shown in FIG. 1 in closer details;

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the portable atomizing device shownin FIG. 2A;

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram for describing a second output signal of acontrol unit having a heating time section and a heating-stopped timesection;

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram for describing an output signal according toa maximum operating time setting; and

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram for describing an output signal according toa standby time setting.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A portable atomizing device includes a battery case for accommodating abattery therein, an atomizer that is electrically connected to thebattery and includes a heating element for generating heat to atomize asource material, a body case that is arranged between the battery caseand the atomizer and is combined with the battery case and the atomizer,a control unit that is accommodated inside the body case, iselectrically connected to the battery and the heating element, receivespower from the battery, and controls an output signal output to theheating element, and a suction control unit that controls an amount ofthe air introduced toward the atomizer by opening or closing air inletsconnecting the atomizer with the outside.

Furthermore, a portable atomizing device according to another embodimentof the present invention includes an atomizer including a heatingelement for generating heat for atomizing a source material, a detectingelement capable of recognizing a continuous touch of a user, and acontrol unit that outputs an output signal, in which a heating timesection having a first voltage level and a heating-stopped time sectionhaving a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level arealternately arranged at least once, to the heating element while a presson the detecting element continues.

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown.

The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forthherein; rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of theinvention to one of ordinary skill in the art. Meanwhile, theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exemplaryembodiments.

Also, thickness or sizes of layers in the drawings are exaggerated forconvenience of explanation and clarity, and the same reference numeralsdenote the same elements in the drawings. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exemplaryembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising” used herein specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, members, components,and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition ofone or more other features, integers, steps, operations, members,components, and/or groups thereof.

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown. In the drawings, for example, sizes and shapes ofmembers may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation.Accordingly, the shapes may be modified actually. Accordingly, it shouldnot be construed as being limited to specific shapes of regions.

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a portable atomizing device 200 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a front viewof the portable atomizing device 200 shown in FIG. 1A.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the portable atomizing device 200 is usedto generate smoke by atomizing a source material, so that a user mayfulfill one's taste or a designated purpose, such as a medicaltreatment, by inhaling the smoke. For example, the portable atomizingdevice 200 may be used as an electronic cigarette to replace a normalcigarette. In this case, the source material may be a liquid materialcontaining nicotine. However, the portable atomizing device 200according to the present invention is not limited to embodimentsregarding electronic cigarettes. For example, the portable atomizingdevice 200 may be applied to a device to aid smoking cessation beingcapable of generating smoke by atomizing a nicotine-free liquid materialor may be applied as a healthcare aid device for atomizing a sourcematerial containing healthy ingredients, such as an herb extract.Alternatively, the portable atomizing device 200 may be used for amedical treatment by atomizing a source material containing materials(e.g., Ventolin or Pulmican) having pharmacologic activation effectswith respect to respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.However, those are merely examples, and it is clear that purposes of theportable atomizing device 200 may vary according to ingredients of thesource material.

The portable atomizing device 200 includes a battery case 150, a batterycap 190, an atomizer 50, a suction mouthpiece 10, and an atomizationcontrol unit (ACU). The battery case 150 may have a hollow shape, inwhich a battery BT may be accommodated therein. According to embodimentsof the present invention, the battery case 150 may have an internalstructure communicating with a battery case 110 of the atomizationcontrol unit (ACU), and thus, an electrode of an exposed battery BT,e.g., a positive electrode, may contact an electrode pad arranged at theatomization control unit ACU and electrically connected thereto. In thiscase, the other electrode of the battery BT, e.g., a negative electrode,may contact the battery case 150 and may be electrically connected tothe atomization control unit ACU as the body case 110 of the atomizationcontrol unit ACU and the battery case 150 are combined with each other,thereby forming a circuit. However, it is merely an example, and thebattery BT may be hidden inside the battery case 150. According toembodiments of the present invention, an end portion of the battery case150 may be covered by a battery cap 190.

According to embodiments of the present invention, screw threads may beformed at portions of the battery case 150, the battery cap 190, and thebody case 110 that are to be combined with one another. Therefore, auser may easily detach or combine the battery case 150 or the batterycap 190 from or with the portable atomizing device 200, and thus thedead battery BT may be easily and periodically replaced.

Furthermore, a suction mouthpiece 10 is suitable for an electroniccigarette or a respiratory disease treatment device and may be eitheromitted for an application, such as a fragrance generator, a sterilizer,or a pest exterminator, or replaced with a nozzle for acceleratingdispersion of smoke into the air.

The atomization control unit (ACU) includes the body case 110, a controlunit (100 of FIG. 2A) including a display unit 90, and a suction controlunit 80. The body case 110 has a hollow shape, where the inside thereofcommunicates with the battery case 150, and the control unit (100 ofFIG. 2A) is accommodated therein. FIGS. 1A and 1B shows the display unit90 from among components of the control unit, where the display unit 90is exposed to outside via an opening formed in a portion of the bodycase 110. The display unit 90 may include a self-luminescent displaydevice, such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic lightemitting display device, or a vacuum fluorescence display device, or anon-self-luminescent display device.

The suction control unit 80 is combined with an end portion of the bodycase 110 and opens or closes an air inlet (H2 of FIG. 2A) communicatingwith the outside and the atomizer 50 while the body case 110 is combinedwith the atomizer 50. Therefore, according to states that the suctioncontrol unit 80 opens or closes the air inlet, amount of smoke that isatomized by the atomizer 50 and discharged to outside via the suctionmouthpiece 10 may be changed.

In the present embodiment, the suction control unit 80 may have aring-like structure to be combined with an end portion of the body case110 in which the air inlet is formed. In this case, the suction controlunit 80 may move in the lengthwise direction from the end portion of thebody case 110 and may open or close the air inlet by moving on the airinlet. The structure and the function of the suction control unit 80described above will be described below in closer details with referenceto FIGS. 2B and 2C.

The atomizer 50 is combined with the atomization control unit (ACU) toface the battery case 150 across the atomization control unit (ACU). Theatomizer 50 is electrically connected to the battery BT via theatomization control unit (ACU) and generates smoke by atomizing a sourcematerial. In the present embodiment, the atomizer 50 may be combinedwith the atomization control unit ACU via a combining portion 40including a screw thread formed on the inner surface of the combiningportion 40, and thus a user may easily detach the atomizer 50 from theportable atomizing device 200 for replacement. Therefore, whenperformance of the atomizer 50 is deteriorated due to long-term usage, auser may easily replace the atomizer 50.

The suction mouthpiece 10 is combined with an end portion of theatomizer 50, so that smoke generated by the atomizer 50 may bedischarged to outside via the suction mouthpiece 10. In other words, auser may inhale smoke generated by the atomizer 50 via the suctionmouthpiece 10. In the present embodiment, the suction mouthpiece 10 maybe formed of a material having excellent durability, such as a metal, ora flexible material, such as a silicon polymer, for improved userimpression. Hereinafter, the internal structure of the portableatomizing device 200 will be described in closer detail with referenceto FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional diagram, obtained along a line I-I′ of FIG.1B, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the suction control unit 80 of FIG. 1in closer detail, and FIG. 2C is a diagram for describing function ofthe suction control unit 80 shown in FIG. 2B. Regarding componentsdenoted by same reference numerals as components shown in previousdrawings, descriptions of the components shown in previous drawings maybe referred, if not contradictory.

Referring to FIG. 2A through 2C, the body case 110 of the atomizationcontrol unit (ACU) includes an output terminal 88 and a first combiningportion 115. The output terminal 88 is arranged at a portion at whichthe body case 110 is combined with the atomizer 50, so that power issupplied from the control unit 100 to the atomizer 50.

The first combining portion 115 has a hollow shape, which extends froman end portion of the body case 110 toward the atomizer 50 and has anopen top to surround the output terminal 88. The output terminal 88 maybe partially exposed by the first combining portion 115. Furthermore,one or a plurality of (at least one or more) air inlets H2 are formed ina sidewall of the first combining portion 115. A first screw thread S1to be combined with a third screw thread S3 of the second combiningportion 40 of the atomizer 50 is formed on the inner surface of thefirst combining portion 115, and a second screw thread S2 to be combinedwith the suction control unit 80 is formed on the outer surface of thefirst combining portion 115. In the structure of the first combiningportion 115 as described above, the second combining portion 40 of theatomizer 50 is inserted into and combined with the first combiningportion 115, and thus the atomization control unit (ACU) and theatomizer 50 may be combined with each other.

Furthermore, air holes H1 penetrating through the second combiningportion 40 are formed in the second combining portion 40, whereas one ora plurality of air vents H3 may be formed in an end portion of anatomizer case 20. Therefore, the external air may pass through the airvents H3, the air inlets H2, and the air holes H1 in the order statedand be provided into the atomizer 50.

The atomizer 50 includes the second combining portion 40, the atomizercase 20, a cartridge 21, an electrode tube 45, a wig 35, a heatingelement 30, and an exhaust tube 25. The second combining portion 40 isarranged at an end portion of the atomizer case 20. The second combiningportion 40 has a hollow shape having an open top to surround theelectrode tube 45. Therefore, as described above, when the secondcombining portion 40 is inserted into the first combining portion 115,the electrode tube 45 may contact the output terminal 88 andelectrically connected to the output terminal 88.

The cartridge 21 is arranged inside the atomizer case 20, and a sourcematerial TL is accommodated in the cartridge 21. In an embodiment, thesource material TL may be a liquid, where ingredients of the sourcematerial TL may be determined based on purpose of the portable atomizingdevice 200. Furthermore, an atomization chamber 28 isolated from thesource material TL is arranged inside the cartridge 21, where the wig35, the heating element 30 wound around the wig 35, and the electrodetube 45 are arranged in the atomization chamber 28. The electrode tube45 is formed of a conductive material and is electrically connected tothe output terminal 88. Meanwhile, a portion of the wig 35 is exposed tothe source material TL, so that the source material TL is absorbed bythe wig 35 and is provided to the heating element 30.

The heating element 30 may be a conductive coil, such as a filament, andthe heating element 30 receives an output signal, e.g., a controlledvoltage signal or a current signal, from the output terminal 88 andgenerates heat. The output signal may be DC pulses or AC pulses.Preferably, the output signal may be DC pulses for easy power control.In this case, power may be controlled by controlling size or width ofpulses. When the output signal is applied to the heating element 30, theheating element 30 is heated, the source material TL absorbed by the wig35 surrounded by the heating element 30 is atomized, and the atomizationchamber 28 is filled with smoke. The output signal will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 6.

Furthermore, the exhaust tube 25 is arranged inside the cartridge 21, anend portion of the exhaust tube 25 is connected to a suction tube 5 ofthe suction mouthpiece 10, and the other end portion of the exhaust tube25 is connected to the atomization chamber 28. Therefore, when a liquidsource material TL is atomized, the atomization chamber 28 is filledwith smoke, and a man sucks the suction mouthpiece 10, and the man caninhale the smoke filling the atomization chamber 28 via the exhaust tube25 and the suction tube 5.

In another embodiment, the portable atomizing device 200 may include anatomizer, which has a different structure from the heating-type atomizer50 as above mentioned. For example, the portable atomizing device 200may include an atomizer which includes an oscillator and generates smokeusing an ultrasonic oscillation method.

The suction control unit 80 has a ring-like shape surrounding the outersurface of the first combining portion 115 and a screw thread (notshown), which is to be combined with the second screw thread S2, isformed on the inner surface of the first combining portion 115, so thatthe suction control unit 80 is combined with the first combining portion115. Therefore, if a user is revolved the suction control unit 80, thesuction control unit 80 may move in a first direction D1 or a seconddirection D2 and can completely open, partially open, or close the airinlets H2. For example, FIG. 2B shows that the suction control unit 80is moved to the end in the second direction D2. In this case, thesuction control unit 80 does not overlap the air inlets H2, and thus theair inlets H2 are completely opened.

On the other hand, FIG. 2C shows that the suction control unit 80revolves along the second screw thread S2 and is moved to the firstdirection D1. In this case, the suction control unit 80 overlapsapproximately a half of the air inlet H2 and closes the air inlet H2about a half. Therefore, if it is assumed that an amount of air providedfrom outside toward the atomization chamber 28 via the air inlets H2when the suction control unit 80 is at the position as shown in FIG. 2Cis a first amount, an amount of air provided from outside toward theatomization chamber 28 via the air inlets H2 when the suction controlunit 80 is at the position as shown in FIG. 2B is a second amount, whichis greater than the first amount.

Therefore, if it is assumed that a user sucks the suction mouthpiece 10at a same pressure, the user may inhale more smoke when the suctioncontrol unit 80 is at the position as shown in FIG. 2B than when thesuction control unit 80 is at the position as shown in FIG. 2C. In otherwords, a user may easily control an amount of smoke to inhale bycontrolling position of the suction control unit 80.

In an embodiment, the portable atomizing device 200 may further includean elastic element 85. The elastic element 85 may be conductive andelastic, such as a metal spring. The elastic element 85 is interposedbetween the output terminal 88 and a printed circuit board 70, securesan electric connection between the output terminal 88 and the printedcircuit board 70, and corrects contact between the output terminal 88and the electrode tube 45. The output terminal 88 may be connected tothe battery BT via the printed circuit board 70. In detail, the elasticelement 85 contacts the output terminal 88 and a second conductive layerC2 of the printed circuit board 70, a first conductive layer C1 of theprinted circuit board 70 contacts a terminal of the battery BT, andpower voltage of the battery BT may be output toward the output terminal88 via the printed circuit board 70.

In this regard, conductive layers are formed at the printed circuitboard 70 itself and a circuit for supplying power to the atomizer 50 isconfigured simply as the battery BT contacts the printed circuit board70 and the printed circuit board 70 contacts the electrode tube 45, andthus an electric connection may be established by simply combining theatomizer 50, the atomization control unit (ACU), and the battery case150 with one another. As a result, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, an atomizer, which has a simplified circuit structureand can be easily manufactured and assembled, may be provided without acomplex conductive members such as wires.

Furthermore, since the atomizer 50 is frequently detached from andcombined with the portable atomizing device 200 to fill the sourcematerial TL to the cartridge 21, if the elastic element 85 is notprovided, a gap may be formed between the output terminal 88 and thesecond conductive layer C2 as the portable atomizing device 200 is usedfor longer period of time, and thus an electric connection between theoutput terminal 88 and the second conductive layer C2 may becomeunstable. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention,even if a gap is formed between the output terminal 88 and the secondconductive layer C2, the elastic element 85 may maintain reliability ofan electric connection between the output terminal 88 and the secondconductive layer C2.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram, obtained along a line II-II′ ofFIG. 2C.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 3, the control unit 100 is accommodated insidethe body case 110. The control unit 100 is electrically connected to thebattery BT and the heating element 30, receives power from the batteryBT, and controls electric output toward the heating element 30, e.g.,output voltage.

The control unit 100 includes the printed circuit board 70, a resistancemeasuring unit 71, a voltage correcting unit 74, a micro-computer device72, a detecting element 75, a light source 95, and the display unit 90.The resistance measuring unit 71, the voltage correcting unit 74, themicro-computer device 72, the detecting element 75, and the light source95 are shown as independent devices. However, it is merely an example,and at least two from among the devices may be combined with each otherand may be miniaturized into a one-chip system IC. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. The printed circuit board 70 isinserted into a combination groove 112 formed on the inner surface ofthe body case 110, is accommodated inside the body case 110, and iselectrically connected to the battery BT and the heating element 30. Indetail, the first conductive layer C1 is formed on a side portion of theprinted circuit board 70 adjacent to the battery case 150, and the firstconductive layer C1 is electrically connected to the battery BT.Furthermore, the second conductive layer C2 is formed on another sideportion adjacent to the atomizer 50, the second conductive layer C2contacts the output terminal 88 via the conductive elastic element 85,and may be electrically connected to the heating element 30. The firstand second conductive layers C1 and C2 may be solder layers or printedconductive pads formed at side portions of the printed circuit board 70.

In the structure as described above, the printed circuit board 70 may beelectrically connected to the battery BT and the heating element 30 viathe first and second conductive layers C1 and C2 without a wire or asolder. Furthermore, the printed circuit board 70 not only completes acircuit configuration, but also functions as a mechanical supportingbody for the components 71, 74, 72, 75, 95, and 90, thereby simplifyingthe internal configuration of the body case 110 into a single body.Therefore, environment friendliness may be embodied by excludinghazardous materials, such as lead. Furthermore, the overallmanufacturing process may be further simplified, thereby reducingmanufacturing cost.

The resistance measuring unit 71, the voltage correcting unit 74, themicro-computer device 72, the detecting element 75, the light source 95,and the display unit 90 are mounted on the printed circuit board 70. Inan embodiment, the resistance measuring unit 71 may include an electriccircuit formed on the printed circuit board 70 to detect resistance ofthe heating element 30, and the voltage correcting unit 74 may includean electric circuit which corrects of a power voltage of the battery BTand outputs a power signal, such as a constant voltage circuit or avoltage boosting circuit. Furthermore, in another embodiment, theresistance measuring unit 71 and the voltage correcting unit 74 may beintegrated in the micro-computer device 72. The resistance measuringunit 71 may measure resistance of the heating element 30 by applying ameasuring current to the heating element 30 and measuring a voltagelevel applied to the heating element 30 or may measure resistance byapplying a measuring voltage to the heating element 30 and measuring anoutput current flowing in the heating element 30.

According to the configuration as described above, when resistance ofthe heating element 30 is smaller than a pre-set value, e.g., aresistance of a power condition applied to an atomizer custom-set by auser, due to specification or product reliability of the atomizer 50,the resistance measuring unit 71 may measure resistance of the heatingelement 30 and the voltage correcting unit 74 may correct the outputvoltage to be smaller than the pre-set value based on the detectedresistance of the heating element 30. Therefore, regardless resistanceof the heating element 30, power having a controlled set value may beconstantly supplied toward the heating element 30. For example, as asame power is supplied to an atomizer, an atomizing efficiency and anamount of smoke based on the atomizing efficiency may be maintainedconstantly. Furthermore, since supplied power may be controlledaccording to resistance, the heating element 30 may be prevented frombeing short-circuited due to a high voltage. Detailed descriptionsthereof will be given below with reference to FIG. 5.

The detecting element 75 is supported by a supporting member 73, such assilicon, is mounted on the printed circuit board 70, is exposed tooutside via an opening 111 formed in the body case 110, and generates aninput signal in correspondence to a touch event. The input signalgenerated by the detecting element 75 is input to the micro-computerdevice 72 described below and controls the overall operations of theportable atomizing device 200. In another embodiment, the detectingelement 75 may be replaced with other types of touch-type switches, suchas an electrostatic switch and a pressure-sensitive switch.

The micro-computer device 72 is a device using a large-scale integration(LSI) circuit, in which a large number of electric circuits areintegrated, and including a central calculation circuit, a memorycircuit, and an input/output control circuit for performing simplemathematical calculations and logic calculations. The micro-computerdevice 72 may receive the input signal and control the overalloperations of the portable atomizing device 200. For example, in anembodiment, in response to the input signal, the micro-computer device72 may turn the portable atomizing device 200 on or off, provide powerof a battery to the heating element 30, change operation mode of theportable atomizing device 200, or control the power according to theoperation mode. In other embodiments, the control unit 100 may furtherinclude a non-volatile memory device, such as an electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, and a phasechange memory, where the non-volatile memory devices may be integratedin the micro-computer device 72 or may be separately mounted. User setvalues or a database unit described below may be stored in the memorydevice or the non-volatile memory device as described above.

In detail, when a user touches the detecting element 75 of a pluralityof number of times, the micro-computer device 72 may turn the portableatomizing device 200 on. Furthermore, after the portable atomizingdevice 200 is turned on, while the user is touching the detectingelement 75, the micro-computer device 72 may provide the power to theheating element 30, and thus atomization of a source material may beinitiated.

Furthermore, after the portable atomizing device 200 is turned on, auser may touch the detecting element 75 in a pre-set manner, and, inresponse to the touch, the micro-computer device 72 may set theoperation mode of the portable atomizing device 200 to a first operationmode in which power is automatically controlled. In this case, due tofunctions of the voltage correcting unit 74 and the resistance measuringunit 71 as described above, power applied to the atomizer 50 may bemaintained constant or may be changed.

Furthermore, after the portable atomizing device 200 is turned on, auser may touch the detecting element 75 in another pre-set manner, and,in response to the touch, the micro-computer device 72 may set theoperation mode of the portable atomizing device 200 to a secondoperation mode in which power is controlled by manual operation of theuser. For example, in this case, the micro-computer device 72 maymanually control the power base on the number of times the user touchedthe detecting element 75. Therefore, a user may easily increase ordecrease the power according to one's preference of inhaling smoke.

In an embodiment, the micro-computer device 72 may detect power voltageof the battery BT and may control the power voltage to a default valuebased on the detected power voltage. For example, when it is assumedthat the default value of the output voltage is 5.1V and the powervoltage of the battery BT is 3.7V, the micro-computer device 72 maydetect the power voltage and correct the output voltage by using thevoltage correcting unit 74, such that the output voltage becomesidentical to the default value.

The display unit 90 is mounted on the printed circuit board 70, isexposed to outside via the opening 111 formed in the, receives a lightfrom the light source 95, and displays various information regardingoperations of the portable atomizing device 200. In an embodiment, thedisplay unit 90 may display various information including the powervoltage, the output voltage, resistance of the heating element 30,remaining power of the battery BT, a warning sign based on the remainingpower, temperature of the heating element 30, a warning sign based onthe temperature, the first operation mode, and the second operationmode.

As described above, when the resistance measuring unit 71, the voltagecorrecting unit 74, the micro-computer device 72, the detecting element75, the light source 95, and the display unit 90 are mounted on theprinted circuit board 70 and the printed circuit board 70 is combinedwith the combination groove 112 formed on the inner surface of the bodycase 110, a circuit may be easily configured by using the above-statedcomponents mounted on the printed circuit board 70, and the printedcircuit board 70 may also mechanically support the detecting element 75and the display unit 90. Therefore, circuit configuration and mechanicalassembly of the portable atomizing device 200 may become easy overall.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing information displayed at thedisplay unit 90 shown in FIG. 1 in closer details. First, referring toFIG. 4A, various information regarding operations of the portableatomizing device 200 is displayed at the display unit 90. In detail, thedisplay unit 90 includes a first display window DP1 and a second displaywindow DP2, where an image or a text indicating the first operationmode, that is, the automatic mode may be displayed on the first displaywindow DP1.

Furthermore, the second display window DP2 may display an output voltageprovided to the heating element (30 of FIG. 2A) in numbers or an imageindicating the output voltage. Therefore, a user may easily recognizethat the portable atomizing device 200 is currently operating in theautomatic mode and the output voltage is 5.1V based on informationdisplayed in the first display window DP1 and the second display windowDP2.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the display unit 90 may display informationindicating the second operation mode as described above. For example, animage or a text indicating the second operation mode, that is, themanual mode may be displayed at the third display window DP3, and anoutput voltage provided to the heating element (30 of FIG. 2A) may bedisplayed at the second display window DP2. Therefore, a user may easilyrecognize that the portable atomizing device 200 is currently operatingin the manual mode and the output voltage is 4.1V based on informationdisplayed in the second display window DP2 and the third display windowDP3. Furthermore, in the second operation mode, if the user touches thedetecting element (75 of FIG. 3), the user may confirm that the outputvoltage increases or decreases from 4.1V via the second display windowDP2.

In another embodiment, the micro-computer device (72 of FIG. 3) may bedesigned, such that a portable atomizing device is turned on or offbased on duration of a touch applied to the detecting element (75 ofFIG. 3). For example, to prevent a portable atomizing device from beingturned on based on a touch not intended by a user, e.g., a touch occurswhen the user simply grabs the portable atomizing device, themicro-computer device (72 of FIG. 3) may be designed to turn theportable atomizing device or a menu mode of the portable atomizingdevice on or off when the detecting element is successively touched for3 times or 5 times within 0.5 seconds.

Furthermore, in another embodiment, the display unit 90 may displayvarious information other than the output voltage, such as remainingpower of the battery (BT of FIG. 2A), the heating element (30 of FIG.2A), temperature of the heating element, or a warning sign related tothe temperature. The above-stated information may be simultaneouslydisplayed at the display unit 90 or may be displayed one-by-one indisplay modes switched based on the number of touching the detectingelement. Furthermore, other than the above-mentioned various informationdisplayed at the display unit 90, other information regarding operationof a portable atomizing device, such as the number of times of inhales,and method of displaying the same may vary according to designs of themicro-computer device and the display unit 90.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the portable atomizing device 200shown in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 6 is a timing diagram for describing thesecond output signal S2 of the control unit 100 having a heating timesection and a heating-stopped time section.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, while a user keeps pressing the detectingelement 75 (referred to hereinafter as a touch on time section; S1_t1),the detecting element 75 generates an input signal S1 and the controlunit 100 outputs an output signal S2 to a heating element 30 in responseto the input signal S1. The output signal S2 has an alternate waveformin which a heating time section S2_t1 having a first voltage level V1and a heating-stopped time section S2_t2 having a second voltage levelV2 smaller than the first voltage level V1, in correspondence to thetouch on time section S1_t1 of the input signal S1. To this end, thecontrol unit 100 may include a switching device (not shown) that isturned on during the heating time section S2_t1 and is turned off duringthe heating-stopped time section S2_t2.

The output signal S2 may have a rectangular pulse-wave waveform in whichtime sections having a high level voltage and time sections having a lowlevel voltage are repeated in a cycle. However, it is merely an example,and the output signal S2 including the heating time section S2_t1 andthe heating-stopped time section S2_t2 may have an arbitrary waveformhaving linear or curved increasing time section and/or decreasing timesection, like a chopping wave, a sawtooth wave, or a semi-circular wave.In this case, voltage level of each time section may be determined as anaverage value.

Duration of the heating time section S2_t1 of the output signal S2 maybe longer than that of the heating-stopped time section S2_t2. Forexample, the heating time section S2_t1 may have a duration from about0.1 seconds to about 20 seconds and may preferably have a duration fromabout 0.5 seconds to about 2 seconds in which evaporation or sublimationoccurs. On the other hand, the heating-stopped time section S2_t2 mayhave a duration from about 0.01 seconds to about 5 seconds and maypreferably have a duration from about 0.5 seconds to about 0.2 secondsto protect a heating element and prevent combustion of a liquid sourcematerial during optimal evaporation or sublimation.

According to embodiments of the present invention, durations of theheating time section S2_t1 and the heating-stopped time section S2_t2may be set by a user in advance. For example, if the heating timesection S2_t1 is set to be relatively longer and the heating-stoppedtime section S2_t2 is set to be relatively shorter, a period of timeelapsed for heating the source material may increase, and thus amount ofsmoke may increase. Furthermore, if the time sections described aboveare adjusted, taste of a liquid source may be changed according to timechanges, and thus a user may change taste of the liquid source based onone's preference by adjusting the time sections. To this end, theportable atomizing device 200 may further includes the display unit 90for displaying a user interface for setting the heating time sectionS2_t1 and the heating-stopped time section S2_t2, and the control unit100 may use the detecting element 75 as a user input interface, receivevalues of the heating time section S2_t1 and the heating-stopped timesection S2_t2 based on pressing manipulation of a user, and control theheating time section S2_t1 and the heating-stopped time section S2_t2.According to another embodiment of the present invention, at least onefrom between the heating time section S2_t1 and the heating-stopped timesection S2_t2 (preferably, the heating-stopped time section S2_t2) maybe automatically set to prevent thermal damage of the heating element 30based on resistance of the heating element 30, or a recommended valuethereof may be provided.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the first voltagelevel V1 may be a particular voltage level provided by the battery BT,e.g., voltage of the battery BT or a preset voltage. According toanother embodiment of the present invention, the first voltage level V1may vary based on measured resistance of the heating element 30. Asdescribed above, for example, if the measured resistance of the heatingelement 30 is smaller than resistance of a power condition regardingpower to be applied to an atomizer set by a user (referred tohereinafter as reference resistance), the resistance measuring unit 71detects resistance of the heating element 30 and the voltage correctingunit 74 may correct the first voltage level V1 of the output signal S2to be smaller than a preset value based on the measured resistance ofthe heating element 30. On the contrary, if the measured resistance ofthe heating element 30 is greater than the reference resistance, thefirst voltage level V1 of the output signal S2 may be corrected to begreater than a preset value.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 100may refer to a lookup table in which measured resistances andcorresponding first voltage levels V1 are defined. The lookup table maybe established as a database and may be stored in the storage unit or amemory.

Table 1 is an example lookup datable in which measured resistances andfirst voltage levels are defined

Referring to Table 1, the control unit 100 may measure a resistance,find a first voltage level corresponding to the measured resistance, andoutput a voltage signal. For example, if the measured resistance is 1Ω,the first voltage level may be defined to 2V. If a measured resistanceis not in the lookup table, a mean value may be determined as a firstvoltage level via linear interpolation or a value in the lookup tablemay be determined as the first voltage level via approximation.

TABLE 1 Serial Measured Resistance First Voltage Level Number (Ω) (V) 11 2 2 1.5 2.5 3 2 3 . . . . . . . . .

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the controlunit 100 may calculate a first voltage level corresponding to a measuredresistance according to Equation 1 or Equation 2 below.

V _(out) =R+A  [Equation 1]

Here, Vout denotes a first voltage level, R denotes a measuredresistance, and A denotes an arbitrary constant, such as 1.

In Equation 1, although units for the first voltage level Vout and themeasured resistance R are V and Ω, respectively, Equation 1 may be codesthat can be actually executed on a computer. In this case, an equationfor calculating output of a first voltage level may only be determinedalgebraically regardless of units.

$\begin{matrix}{V_{out} = {K(R)}^{\frac{1}{2}}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

Here, Vout denotes a first voltage level, R denotes a measuredresistance, and K denotes an arbitrary proportional constant. LikeEquation 1, Equation 2 may be codes that can be actually executed on acomputer. Since power determines Joule heat of a heating element, afirst voltage level may be determined by setting the output voltage Voutto be proportional to the square root of the measured resistance.

The method using a lookup table and the method for algebraicdetermination are merely examples, and embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited thereto. For example, another algebraic codefor determining a first voltage level based on the measured resistance Rmay be used.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a table or ameans of determination regarding power control may be downloaded to thecontrol unit 100 via a wired network or a wireless network.Alternatively, a plurality of tables or means of determinations may beprepared in correspondence to respective liquid sources, such that afirst voltage level may be selected by a user based on products,specifications, and types of liquid source materials or automaticallyselected based on identification information, such as barcodes or datavalues for identifying products, specifications, and types of liquidsource materials and measured resistance based on the identificationinformation. To this end, the portable atomizing device 200 may furtherinclude a data scanner, a USB interface, and a wired/wirelesscommunication interface, such as a Bluetooth interface or a Wi-Fiinterface.

To prevent the heating element 30 from being overheated by completelyblocking an electric signal E from the battery BT, the second voltagelevel is 0V. Therefore, when a user continuously pressing a detectingelement, power may be intermittently supplied to the heating element 30.According to embodiments of the present invention, the second voltagelevel may not be 0V and may be smaller than a first voltage level.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the output signal S2may have a heating standby time section S2_t0 in which the output signalS2 is not turned on for a designated period of time from a time point atwhich a user initiates a continuous press. For example, if the heatingstandby time section S2_t0 is set to 0.5 seconds, if a user contacts atouch button of the detecting element 75 and maintains the contact for aperiod of time exceeding 0.5 seconds, an output voltage having the firstvoltage level V1 may be output to an atomizer after 0.5 seconds. Theheating standby time section S2_t0 may be from about 0.01 seconds toabout 1 second. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.The heating standby time section S2_t0 is set to determine whether apressing event occurring at a detecting element is for atomizationintended by a user and to prevent the output signal S2 from beingtransmitted to an atomizer due to an unintended touch based on acareless touch of a user or a contact to a material.

The control unit 100 may repeatedly perform voltage output cycles whilea user is maintaining a press or a touch, where duration of the heatingtime section S2_t1 may be constant. For example, if the output signal S2is located in the heating time section S2_t1 when a user releases atouch and input of the input signal S1 is stopped, output of the outputsignal S2 may be stopped at a time point at which duration of theheating time section S2_t1 ends. In this case, the overall cycle of theoutput signal S2 may be longer than the touch on time section S1_t1 ofthe input signal S1. However, if the output signal S2 is located in theheating standby time section S2_t0 at a time point at which input of theinput signal S1 by a user is stopped, output of the output signal S2 maybe stopped at the same time. According to another embodiment of thepresent invention, if three or more output cycles are performed, one ortwo cycles may be added based on a touching habit of a user or aremaining voltage.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention,damages to the atomizer 50 and waste of a source material due toexcessive heating of the heating element 30 may be prevented bycontrolling the heating element 30 by using the output signal S2 havingthe heating time section S2_t1 of a first voltage level and theheating-stopped time section S2_t2 of a second voltage level that islower than the first voltage level. Furthermore, by allowing a user toadjust durations of the heating time section S2_t1 and theheating-stopped time section S2_t2 based on inhale time or inhale habitof the user, the user may select/adjust smoking conditions incorrespondence to the user's preference and may enjoy changed taste,fragrance, and inhaling impression of a source material.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram for describing an output signal according toa maximum operating time setting, and FIG. 8 is a timing diagram fordescribing an output signal according to a standby time setting. As longas not being contradictory, descriptions of the above-stated componentsmay be referred to with respect to components denoted by the samereference numerals as the above-stated components, and any ofdescriptions already given above will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7, to prevent the atomizer 50 from being overheatedand excessive smoked, output of the output signal S2 may be restrictedto a preset maximum operation time S2_t4. Even if the touch on timesection S1_t1 of the input signal S1 due to a touch input of a userexceeds the preset maximum operation time S2_t4, application of theoutput signal S2 is automatically stopped when the total output time ofthe output signal S2 reaches the maximum operation time S2_t4. Themaximum operation time S2_t4 may be from about 0.15 seconds to about 22seconds and may preferably be from about 9 seconds to about 13 seconds,where the preset maximum operation time S2_t4 may be selectivelyadjusted by a user. For example, if the maximum operation time S2_t4 isset to 11 seconds, even if the touch on time section S1_t1 of the inputsignal S1 exceeds 11 seconds after the touch initiation, the outputsignal S2 is turned off when the total output time reaches 11 seconds.Therefore, damages to the atomizer 50 and waste of a source material dueto excessive heating of the heating element 30 may be prevented, and atime and amount of inhaling tobacco ingredients or atomizedpharmacologic activating materials and a user's smoking habit may becontrolled regardless of a user input.

Referring to FIG. 8, if a press on the detecting element 75 is stoppedfor a pre-set wait time S1_w or longer period of time, the control unit100 may output the output signal S2 due to a later press S1_A on thedetecting element 75 from the heating wait time section S2_t0. Forexample, if a touch off time section S1_t2 of the input signal S1exceeds the wait time S1_w and the input signal S1 is turned on later,the output signal S2 may have the heating wait time section S2_t0 inwhich the output signal S2 is not turned on for a designated period oftime after the input signal S1 is turned on. On the contrary, if thetouch off time section S1_t2 of the input signal S1 is stopped withinthe wait time S1_w and the input signal S1 is turned on later, theoutput signal S2 may be immediately turned on without the heating waittime section S2_t0 and may be output from the heating time sectionS2_t1.

For example, when the heating wait time section S2_t0 is 0.5 seconds andwait time S1_w is set to 3 seconds, if a touch to the detecting element75 continues and is not recognized for 3 seconds, the output signal S2is initialized and the operation mode is switched to wait mode, and, ifa touch is recognized later and the operation mode is switched to activemode, the output signal S2 is turned on 0.5 seconds after the touch andthe operation may proceed to a time section in which the heating timesection S2_t1 and the heating-stopped time section S2_t2 are alternatelyarranged.

As described above, by setting the maximum operation time S2_maxregarding an output signal and the wait time S1_w based on interruptionof a press on a detecting element, power consumed by the heating element30 may be reduced, thereby increasing battery time.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A portable atomizing device comprising: a battery; an atomizerelectrically connected to the battery and including a heating elementfor generating heat to atomize a source material; a body case combinedwith the atomizer; and a control unit accommodated inside the body case,electrically connected to the battery and the heating element, receivingpower from the battery, and controlling an output signal output to theheating element.
 2. The portable atomizing device of claim 1, whereinthe control unit detects resistance of the heating element and controlsthe output signal based on the measured resistance of the heatingelement.
 3. The portable atomizing device of claim 2, wherein thecontrol unit increases output voltage of the output signal whenresistance of the heating element is greater than a preset value, andwherein the control unit decreases output voltage of the output signalwhen resistance of the heating element is smaller than a preset value.4. The portable atomizing device of claim 1, wherein the control unitdetects power voltage of the battery and controls the output signalbased on the measured power voltage.
 5. The portable atomizing device ofclaim 4, wherein the control unit boosts the power voltage if the powervoltage is smaller than the preset value, and wherein the control unitdrops the power voltage if the power voltage is greater than the presetvalue.
 6. The portable atomizing device of claim 2, wherein the controlunit comprises: a printed circuit board accommodated inside the bodycase and electrically connected to the battery and the heating element;a resistance measuring unit mounted on the printed circuit board andmeasuring resistance of the heating element; and a voltage correctingunit mounted on the printed circuit board and correcting the powervoltage.
 7. The portable atomizing device of claim 6, wherein thecontrol unit further comprises: a switch mounted on the printed circuitboard, exposed to outside of the body case, and generating an inputsignal in correspondence to a touch signal; and a display unit mountedon the printed circuit board, exposed to outside via an opening formedin the body case, and displaying at least one of the power voltage,voltage of the output signal, resistance of the heating element, chargedamount of the battery, a warning sign related to the charged amount ofthe battery, temperature of the heating element, a warning sign relatedto the temperature of the heating element, and an operation mode.
 8. Theportable atomizing device of claim 7, wherein the control unit furthercomprises a micro-computer device mounted on the printed circuit boardand controlling the output signal in response to the input signal,wherein the operation mode comprises a first operation mode and a secondoperation mode based on the input signal, wherein the output signal iscontrolled based on the power voltage or resistance of the heatingelement in the first operation mode, and wherein the micro-computerdevice controls the output signal in response to the input signal in thesecond operation mode.
 9. The portable atomizing device of claim 7,wherein the resistance measuring unit or the voltage correcting unit areintegrated in a micro-computer device.
 10. The portable atomizing deviceof claim 6, wherein the body case comprises an output terminal arrangedat a portion of the body case to be combined with the atomizer andtransmitting the output signal, and wherein the printed circuit boardcomprises: a first conductive layer formed on a side portion adjacent tothe battery case and electrically connected to a terminal of thebattery; and a second conductive layer formed on another side portionadjacent to the atomizer and electrically connected to the outputterminal.
 11. The portable atomizing device of claim 10, wherein thefirst conductive layer directly contacts the terminal of the battery,and wherein the second conductive layer directly contacts the outputterminal.
 12. The portable atomizing device of claim 10, furthercomprising an elastic element having conductivity and elasticity,interposed between the output terminal and the second conductive layer,and electrically connecting the output terminal to the second conductivelayer, wherein the first conductive layer directly contacts the terminalof the battery, and wherein the elastic element directly contacts theoutput terminal and the second conductive layer.
 13. The portableatomizing device of claim 1, wherein the body case comprises a combiningunit extending from an end portion, combined with the atomizer, andincluding the air inlet formed in sidewalls, and wherein the suctioncontrol unit moves in the lengthwise direction of the combining unit andopens or closes the air inlet.
 14. The portable atomizing device ofclaim 1, wherein the source material is a liquid material for anelectronic cigarette. 15-23. (canceled)
 24. A portable atomizing devicecomprising: an atomizer electrically connected to a battery andincluding a heating element for generating heat to atomize a sourcematerial; a detecting element capable of recognizing a continuous touchof a user; and a control unit outputting an output signal havingalternately arranged therein a heating time section having a firstvoltage level and a heating-stopped time section having a second voltagelevel lower than the first voltage level at least once, to the heatingelement while a press on the detecting element continues.
 25. Theportable atomizing device of claim 24, wherein the detecting element isa button type or a touch type.
 26. The portable atomizing device ofclaim 24, wherein the control unit defines the first voltage level basedon the measured resistance of the heating element.
 27. The portableatomizing device of claim 24, wherein the second voltage level is 0 V.28. The portable atomizing device of claim 24, wherein the heating timesection is longer than the heating-stopped time section.
 29. (canceled)30. The portable atomizing device of claim 24, further having a heatingwait time section for not turning the output signal on for a designatedperiod of time from initiation of the continuous touch of the user. 31.(canceled)
 32. The portable atomizing device of claim 24, furthercomprising a display unit for displaying a user interface for settingone of or both the heating time section and the heating-stopped timesection, wherein the control unit adjusts values of the heating timesection and the heating-stopped time section based on a press of theuser by using the detecting element as a user input interface.
 33. Theportable atomizing device of claim 24, wherein output of the outputsignal is restricted to a preset maximum operation time. 34-37.(canceled)
 38. The portable atomizing device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a suction control unit controlling an amount of the airintroduced toward the atomizer by opening or closing air inletsconnecting the atomizer with the outside.